Mariah's Biography

Mariah works as a meeting designer, teacher, and visual thinking specialist. She helps clients like non-profit organizations, corporations, and community groups to translate their visions, processes, plans – anything! – into engaging images. Whether she’s listening to a keynote at a large conference or sitting at the table during a small meeting, Mariah captures her clients’ key messages and themes in Visual Records – metaphors, images, and words that she draws in real time. She also loves designing meetings that tap into the wisdom of groups and their ability to think together. Mariah teaches the practice of visual thinking in public and private workshops, building on participants’ innate creativity and desire to communicate effectively. She lives in beautiful Oakland, CA, with her husband and lots of art supplies.

Please contact her at howard.mariah@gmail.com to find out how to bring visuals into your work.

Her clients include: Genentech, Salesforce.com, PepsiCo, Nike, The United Way, GlaxoSmithKlein, AAA, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), The Veteran’s Association, and many more!

Friday, September 10, 2010

It's Not About Right Brain Vs. Left Brain

We use both hemispheres of our brain all the time, but for a moment, let's just be frank and say:

"Until recently, the abilities that led to success in school, work, and business were characteristic of the left hemisphere. They were the sorts of linear, logical, analytical talents measured by SATs and deployed by CPAs. Today, those capabilities are still necessary. But they're no longer sufficient. In a world upended by outsourcing, deluged with data, and choked with choices, the abilities that matter most are now closer in spirit to the specialties of the right hemisphere - artistry, empathy, seeing the big picture, and pursuing the transcendent."

Please contact me at howard.mariah@gmail.com to find out how to bring Visual Facilitation into your work.

Mariah Records Donna Brazile

Mariah with NCDD map close up

What Do I Do?

Given your current project and work needs, we apply the Visual Thinking tool that best fits:

* We design meetings, workshops, breakout sessions and agendas using wide variety of visually supported facilitation tools that bring groups to new levels of communication and clarity using their own wisdom and creativity.

* We host World Cafe dialogs in your workplace or community to provide people with an opportunity to inquire and deepen questions that matter in their lives and work.

* We bring in Visual Facilitation to the meeting you've planned in order to capture the brilliant ideas, questions and visions that emerge in real-time.

* We enhance your Power Point presentations, workbooks, training manuals and handouts, with Visual Records and interactive templates.* We tailor a Visual Recording workshop for people in your organization; your employees or co-workers can learn to map for themselves andmap while listening to others. At the end of the workshop you'll have a set of new visuals designed expressly for your projects, along with a set of Records to practice with on your own. In the 2 day workshop, I can train people to be in-houseVisual Recorders who can map your next meeting or event!* We work together one-on-one to teach you the skills of Visual Recording so you can better organize your time and projects. Learn to express your ideas and creativity in a new way.* We create your new resume, mural of your work history, or even a family map that shares your story in a unique and engaging way.

Reasons to Use Visual Recording

* Improve the sharing of thoughts, knowledge, and ideas in meetings and dialogs.

* Plan and organize your day so that you WANT to look at your new style to-do-list.

* Keep track of different tasks, ideas, and plans by prioritizing them more clearly.

* Logically and creatively present information to customers and co-workers.

* Hold more effective meetings; even reduce the number of meetings now that you have a record that people want to review!